Brooks, a former U.S. congressman from Beaumont, represented the Second District of Texas from 1953 to 1965 and the Ninth District from 1965 to 1995. He also served as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from 1989 to 1995.

A statue of Brooks sits on Lamar University's campus - his alma mater - and both the federal courthouse in downtown Beaumont and a park in Galveston County are named for him.

Commissioners meet Monday at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1149 Pearl St.